Well my friends, things just got downright interesting in Arizona. The Cardinals spent their second round pick on Ryan Williams in this year’s draft. Tim Hightower was traded to the Washington Redskins, which leaves Arizona with two starting options at running back ie: the afore-mentioned rookie Williams and the under achieving Chris “Beanie” Wells. Both are quite talented and, yet, both have their issues. Neither back has demonstrated solid health, so let’s take a look at why fantasy owners should consider drafting Ryan Williams.

The two running backs, Chad Spann of Northern Illinois, and Darren Evans of Virginia Tech, were both signed by the Indianapolis Colts. I’ll start with my favorite, Chad Spann. Spann is 5’9” 198 lbs and ran a 4.53 40 time. Spann went against lesser competition having 258 carries for 1,388 yards (5.37 average) with 22 touchdowns while catching 9 passes for 45 yards. I became first aware of him during the Texas vs. the Nation Game in February. What stuck out to me were his hands, as he wasn’t known for that, Spann caught more yards in this all-star game (70 yards) than the rest of his senior year. He runs with a glide that doesn’t give defenders a big target to hit/tackle. In an interview I did with Spann, he told me Johnny Knox told him that he looked like Priest Holmes while they were practicing together. I’m not saying Spann will be that effective. If he can pass block for Peyton Manning and make some plays in the passing game, then the sky is the limit.

Darren Evans is a much different runner than Spann. At 6’0” 220 lbs the Hokie was a very determined runner, and was splitting time with the oft injured Ryan Williams. Evans was productive when he was given the chance as he had 151 carries for 854 yards (5.65 average) with 11 touchdowns and added 9 receptions for 100 yards. His speed compared to Spann’s speed isn’t far off 4.56 40 (4.53 40 of Spann’s). I contacted Matt Waldman of footballguys.com to see whom he thought had the best chance of making the team. Waldman agreed with me that Spann can do things that 4thround pick Delone Carter, out of Syracuse, cannot and liked his chances to make the team. These are very interesting times for the Colts running backs with Joseph Addai’s future unknown along with Donald Brown’s ineffectiveness in 2010. I have a feeling the Colts might clean house and there may be opportunity for Spann, Evans, and, of course, Carter. Why not hedge your bets?

Once again, before the impending CBA court decision and NFL Draft, I thought it was time to put my thoughts on the incoming rookie class. You will notice some of the player ranking have changed. Lots of new information and misinformation which is the norm during these last several weeks before the draft. These are my thoughts and feelings on how I rank rookies in PPR dynasty rookie drafts. My rankings were influenced by: Greg Cosell, Matt Waldman, Joe Everett, Jim Day, and Shane P. Hallam. In addition I have spent many hours of research watching everything I could on these players. Please use this to help your team maneuver around your rookie and dynasty drafts.

Day 2 of the NFL Combine is in the books and all offensive players have been weighed, measured, and competed at least to some degree. First of all, Cam Newton TV was in all its glory; this got in the way of some good running back drills, but I digress. I wrote an article, Truth or Mirage: Offensive Players to Watch Closely at the Combine, before the combine about some players I wanted to watch closely. Let’s reflect on what we discovered: Read More »

The 2011 NFL Combine begins this Thursday. Interviews and physicals dominate the first two days. Then those of us that have access to the NFL combine, will have the opportunity to see these players for ourselves. Read More »

Some dynasty players may think this is the quietest time of the year. Do not let that be you! Use this time to get a leg up on your competition by starting your own rookie scouting. First I am no “expert” but I am getting my first impressions on players. Small differences may make the difference between drafting LeSean McCoy and Chris “Beanie” Wells. Read More »